Microbial activity of trench leachates from shallow-land, low-level radioactive waste disposal sites

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7001683

Francis, A J; Dobbs, S; Nine, B J

Trench leachate samples collected anoxically from shallow-land, low-level radioactive waste disposal sites were analyzed for total aerobic and anaerobic populations, sulfate reducers, denitrifiers, and methanogens. Among the several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated, only Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Citrobacter sp., and Clostridium sp. were identified. Mixed bacterial cultures isolated from the trench leachates were able to grow anaerobically in trench leachates, which indicates that the radionuclides and organic chemicals present were not toxic to these bacteria. Changes in concentrations of several of the organic constituents of the waste leachate samples were observed due to anaerobic microbial activity. Growth of a mixed culture of trench-water bacteria in media containing a mixture of radionuclides, /sup 60/Co, /sup 85/Sr, and /sup 134/ /sup 137/Cs, was not affected at total activity concentrations of 2.6 x 10/sup 2/ and 2.7 x 10/sup 3/ pCi/ml.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY
• OSTI ID: 7001683
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 40:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
510300* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CLOSTRIDIUM
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPES
LEACHATES
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PSEUDOMONAS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOISOTOPES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER